Discover Dark Skies
As Northumberland is one of the least dense populated counties in England there is also less light pollution – which is great news if you want to do a bit of star gazing, whether from the comfort of the hot tub or further afield. If you keep away from street lighting, you should get a good view of the stars on a clear night. However, there are a number of locations that have been recognised as Dark Sky Discovery Sites, places to stargaze, which are:
- Away from the worst of any local light pollution
- Provide good sightlines of the sky
- Have good public access, including firm ground for wheelchairs.
These sites are usually freely accessible and easy to find – all within driving distance of Felmoor Park. Some of them have star maps in place to help you to find key stars and constellations and on a more practical level a number of them have 24-hour toilets and there are places to eat close to many of them. A number of Dark Sky Discovery Sites host public events throughout the year. These are some truly outstanding venues in Northumberland that host stargazing experiences throughout the year:
KIELDER OBSERVATORY
(Photo credit: CScrimgeour)
Open all year round, Kielder Observatory is located in the heart of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Kielder Observatory is situated in the largest gold-tier dark sky park in Europe, thanks to minimal light pollution. They run events all year round for people from all backgrounds; winter nights are darkest and best for viewing deep sky objects such as galaxies and nebulae, while in summer you can view star clusters, shooting stars and the moon and the sun’s surface. To find out more information visit the Kielder Observatory website: kielderobservatory.org/
BATTLESTEADS DARK SKY OBSERVATORY
The Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory is an accessible, public astronomical observatory. It offers talks, activities, drop-in sessions, stargazing and Astro courses to suit anyone from the absolute beginner to the professional. To find out more information visit the Battlesteads Observatory website: battlesteads.com/observatory
TWICE BREWED STARGAZING
Experience the incredible starry skies above Northumberland with astronomers from the Stargazing team at the Twice Brewed Inn. Located within the protected Dark Sky park, the venue benefits from minimal light pollution, meaning you’ll have a clear view of the Milky Way arching across the sky and see thousands more stars than can normally be spotted from our towns and cities.To find out more information visit the Twice Brewed Inn website: https://www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk/stargazing
THE REDESDALE ARMS
The Redesdale Arms has been awarded “Dark Sky Stay and Gaze” by Northumberland Tourism, acknowledging the facilities on offer to allow guests to observe the night skies in Redesdale. To find out more visit The Redesdale Arms website: http://www.redesdale-arms.co.u
STONEHAUGH ASTRONOMY
Stonehaugh Astronomy is located in the largest expanse of protected dark sky in the whole of Europe. Stonehaugh Astronomy will fuel your desire to learn, by introducing you to the universe and all that it holds. Find out more and discover upcoming events here: https://www.facebook.com/StonehaughEnterprises/
